Manchester United set £40m asking price for out-of-favour star as Manuel Ugarte 'talks' continue

Manchester United would be willing to sanction Jadon Sancho’s exit but reports suggest their £40million valuation is not close to being met, with a sale preferred amid ongoing talks over Manuel Ugarte.

United have been linked with a move for Ugarte all summer and seem to be closing in on the midfielder, who was left out of Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for their Friday evening game against Montpellier. The French side seem open to cutting a deal but will not budge on their €60million (£50.8m) valuation, with negotiations ongoing.

Those in charge of finances at Old Trafford could do with a cash injection as talks continue for the Uruguayan, with Sancho the most obvious route to funds as interest in the winger intensifies. But while The Athletic claim a permanent sale is on the cards, United are yet to receive an offer close to their £40m price-tag.

Juventus are the latest team to express an interest in Sancho, with Sky Sports reporting earlier this week that they were ‘exploring the conditions’ of a deal and discussing personal terms with the winger. They are one of multiple European sides to shortlist him as a potential option but, as of yet, a move away from Old Trafford is not imminent.

The Italian outfit are said to have ‘stepped up communication’ in recent days and Turin is the most likely destination for Sancho before Friday’s transfer deadline. But an agreement is yet to be reached and United would prefer a permanent exit which in turn would bring money in. 

While another loan move cannot be ruled out at this point, it will only be considered if it benefits them from profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) standpoint. Any such deal would need to include a significant loan fee plus an obligation to buy, and United are thought to prefer keeping Sancho, rather than sanctioning his exit without benefit to them. But that could present an issue with the winger some way down the pecking order out wide.

Sancho was not in the matchday squad again for United’s trip to Brighton on Saturday, with the winger also missing his side’s opening-day win at home to Fulham. The 23-year-old travelled down to the AMEX with his teammates but Erik ten Hag made the tough call.

“He is here but I had a choice to make,” he told TNT Sports ahead of kick-off. “He had some issues, we need a full squad and he is one of them. He has to compete for his position. We need in the squad every position double because it’s going to be a long season.”

United have less than one week to conclude any transfer business, both in and out, and work continues in hope of landing long-term target Ugarte. PSG were briefly interested in Sancho, offering the possibility of a player-plus-cash deal, but The Athletic insist he was never part of their plans for the upcoming campaign.